There’s merit in buying an old house over building a new one. First, it’s cheaper than building a new house. Second, since it’s already built, most of these houses are move-in ready, unlike building a new one, which could require several months of construction.
However, many would argue that buying a house gives you less freedom to put your creativity to good use. The structure is already there, so you take whatever layout is available. While this is true, it doesn’t mean you can’t exercise your creativity and design it according to your taste and preference.
Here are three ways to update an old house to make it feel like a home you can call yours.
Don’t Be Afraid to Tear Down Walls
The layout is not working for you? The solution’s simple: take a sledgehammer and tear down walls and open up spaces. Older houses are more affordable, you’ll have enough budget for renovation when you need to. So rather than living in a house with a layout you don’t like, you can renovate spaces to expand rooms and open up space between your living and dining area.
Your creativity is the limit. Even with the renovation period considered, this would still be quicker than building a new house. What’s great is that you can renovate your home one space at a time. You still have the rest of the house to use, even with a renovation on a room, your family still has the space to live and get on with their lives.
Interior Design is a Great Creative Outlet
If you feel the overall theme of your house doesn’t reflect your personality, you might want to consider updating its interiors. You can DIY this if you have the tools and the skills to work on the updates yourself. You’ll save a significant amount, but you need to have enough time to work on them if you want the project to finish on time.
If you don’t have the tools, the time, and the talent, but you have a bit of extra in your budget, you can just hire a professional to do it for you. Get a trusted firm to work on the interior design of your Salt Lake City home. You can tell them exactly what you want, from the colors to the fixtures, and even the smallest details like doorknobs or drawer handle.
Updating the Exterior Gives it A Drastic Transformation
Perhaps the biggest aesthetic improvement you can give your old home is to update its exteriors. Even a fresh coat of paint will make it look refreshed, quite different from the old house you’ve bought. Now, if you’re not too keen on applying new paint and you want to preserve its original look, you can just use a pressure washer to wash off the dirt and grime buildup on the walls, the driveway, the patio, and any other place you think needs cleaning.
You’ll preserve the original look, especially if there are parts with exposed, unpainted concrete. Pressure washing could strip some of the original paint away, and this is something you would expect for a decades-old property. For these parts, you can leave it as it is, or touch up with the right paint color.
Buying an old home is a practical option, especially if you want to save money. Use your extra cash and creativity to update the property to suit your design preference.
